ANDORRA

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Andorra la Vella; Population - 84,000; Currency - Euro

It's a 3½ hour drive from Girona to Andorra la Vella, capital of this tiny Pyrenean country. One thing that remains the same is the language however; Catalan is the official tongue of Andorra - April 2011.

Prior to the Euro, the French Franc and Spanish Peseta were both official currencies of Andorra.

The futuristic La Caldea spa complex at Ecaldes-Engordany, which merges into Andorra la Vella

Depending on what you read, La Caldea is Europe's largest spa complex. It's excellent and well worth going to - Andorra la Vella

Relax in the large bowls which stand in the indoor lagoon - Andorra la Vella

The thermal waters are cooled down from the 70°C at which they emerge to a more comfortable 32°C - La Caldea, Andorra la Vella

There's two sections to the Indo-Roman Baths, one at 36°C and the other cooled to 14°C - La Caldea, Andorra la Vella

The Pyrenees rise above the outdoor lagoon, which is complete with whirlpool - La Caldea, Andorra la Vella

The outdoor lagoon is connected to the indoor one via a water channel, so you don't even have to leave the warmth - La Caldea, Andorra la Vella

Basic entry includes access to the above plus sauna and hammam; pay extra for massages and treatments - La Caldea, Andorra la Vella

Graffiti on the banks of the Valira River near La Caldea - Andorra la Vella

Walking back from Escaldes-Engordany to Andorra la Vella proper is Placa de la Rotonda, in the commercial centre of the capital

Crossing the Gran Valira River, which runs through Andorra la Vella

I don't think this bridge has a name but it's quite fancy - Andorra la Vella

The Gran Valira is the largest river in Andorra - Andorra la Vella

Walk uphill, or get a lift, to the Placa del Poble - Andorra la Vella

Placa del Poble is a bit nondescript but there's some great views if you stand on a bench or two - Andorra la Vella

The Pyrenees rise above the valley below - Andorra la Vella

Close to Placa del Poble is the 11th century Sant Esteve church - Andorra la Vella

Andorra has duty-free status so it's no surprise that smokers (and drinkers) like coming here - Andorra la Vella

The upper section of the capital is home to the Historic Quarter, or Barri Antic - Andorra la Vella

The 16th century Casa de la Vall (House of the Valley) in the historic quarter, is Andorra's parliament - Andorra la Vella

The Andorran flag stands inside the Casa de la Vall - Andorra la Vella

The nominal heads of state are shared between the French president and the bishop of the Spanish border town of La Seu d'Urgell - Andorra la Vella

I say the Casa de la Vall is the Andorran parliament, but as of 2011 most duties have been transferred to the Consell General (General Council) building next door - Andorra la Vella

The Pyrenean mountains form a backdrop to the houses below - Andorra la Vella

The capital lies at 1,013metres above sea level - Andorra la Vella

Placa Princep Benlloch has a couple of places to eat outdoors - Andorra la Vella

There's several bars and restaurants surrounding Placa Guillemo - Andorra la Vella

Mama Maria restaurant looks great at night - Andorra la Vella

Av Princep Benlloch is one of the main shopping streets in Andorra la Vella

An advert for Andorran coffee on the side of a building in Andorra la Vella

A few minutes walk from the bus station is the Central Park - Andorra la Vella

I followed a steep pathway leading up the valley and was rewarded with wonderful views of Andorra la Vella.

Notice the allotments in the foreground, growing vegetables and the like - Andorra la Vella

The Passeig del Rec del Sola is an enjoyable walk on a sunny day - Andorra la Vella

Walking back down to Andorra la Vella

Ordino is a village a few kms north of the capital

It has a collection of stonehouses - Ordino

At 1298metres it's at a slightly higher altitude than Andorra la Vella - Ordino

A stonehouse alleyway - Ordino

Mountains are never too far away in Andorra - Ordino

Sant Corneli i Sant Cebria church - Ordino

Keep going north from Ordino and you'll arrive at El Serrat

The main appeal of El Serrat outside winter are views like this. There's walking trails and a skiing area nearby.

A stream flows past one of the village's hotels, which I'm guessing are busier in the winter ski season - El Serrat

Another (bigger) ski resort is Soldeu

Ski lifts climb the Grandvalira snow fields, which are pretty bare at the end of April - Soldeu

Though snow capped mountains are close by - Soldeu

The villages of Canillo, El Tarter and Soldeu form the Grandvalira snow fields, the most popular in Andorra - Canillo

From Canillo I walked to Encamp via Prats, a hamlet only 5 minutes walk from Canillo

On the walking trail to Encamp you'll pass by Meritxell Sanctuary - Meritxell

The walking trail from Canillo to Encamp runs high above the main road

More great views of the valleys of Andorra, this one hosting the town of Encamp

An advert for El Caldea at the entrance to Encamp

Walking into the valley towards Encamp

Stonehouses in Encamp

A painted gate in Sant Julia de Loria

Sant Julia de Loria is a town south west of Andorra la Vella, on the road to Spain

The main reason to head for Sant Julia de Loria is a visit to Naturlandia

Naturlandia is 8 or 9kms from Sant Julia de Loria, via a steep winding road

Naturlandia has forest trails, archery, cross-country skiing, skating rink, mushing, quad bikes, paintball and - above all - the brilliant Tobotronc

At 5.3kms, Tobotronc is the world's longest alpine coaster. It's called a toboggan run but runs on steel rails. The best thing is you control the speed, up to 40kph! Naturlandia

The difference in altitude between top and bottom is around 400metres. If you start at the bottom, steel cables pull you to the top - Tobotronc, Naturlandia

This photo gives an idea of the steepness of the ascent - Naturlandia

The tracks leading down. The main rules on the way down are: Don't stop and don't hit the person in front! In case you're wondering each 'sledge' has a seatbelt and brake - Tobotronc, Naturlandia

The view from the top of Tobotronc, which must be around 2,500metres altitude. I wanted to take a photo on the way down but didn't really get the time.. Tobotronc, Naturlandia

Scenery on the way downhill from Naturlandia to Sant Julia de Loria

It's a pity the bus from Andorra la Vella to Toulouse left very early in the morning (05:00), as I guess the winding road through the Pyrenees to France is a sight to behold.

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LINKS

www.andorra.ad - tourist board

www.andorra.com

www.andorrabybus.com - buses to Andorra

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.